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Women's golf: Former CU Buff Ben Portie named Metro State coach

Buffzone.com

Posted:
05/06/2013 08:21:09 PM MDT

Updated:
05/06/2013 09:32:25 PM MDT

Metro State Director of Athletics Joan McDermott announced on Monday the addition of women's golf as the University's 16th NCAA Division II varsity sport and that former CU Buff Ben Portie has been hired as the head women's golf coach.

Portie brings four years of collegiate coaching experience to the Roadrunners as he starts the first-year program.

"We are excited to announce both that we are adding women's golf as a program and that Ben will be our first head coach," McDermott said. "He has all of the qualities we were looking for when we began the search for a coach and think his knowledge of the Denver area will help him both in recruiting and helping us find a home golf course."

Portie has been an assistant men's and women's golf coach at the University of Northern Colorado for the past three seasons. Prior to UNC, he served as an assistant men's coach at the University of Colorado for one season in 2007-08, helping the Buffaloes to an NCAA tournament appearance.

"I would like to thank [MSU Denver President] Dr. Stephen Jordan and Joan McDermott for the opportunity to allow me to start up a program and see it through to be successful," Portie said.

Portie currently is also a golf instructor at Trent Wearner Golf Academy and served as the golf professional at Pawnee Pines Golf Club in Sterling, Colo., from 2008 to 2009.

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A native of Westminster, Colo., Portie was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Colorado, where he earned all-region honors and twice led the Buffs in stroke average. He earned his bachelor's degree from CU in communication.

CU men going to NCAAs

The University of Colorado men's golf team was invited Monday to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2009, as the Buffaloes will be one of 14 teams participating in the Fayetteville (Ark.) Regional May 16-18.

Edwards indicated that he would select which five players will make the trip to Fayetteville in the coming days. Four Buffs, seniors Jason Burstyn and Derek Fribbs, sophomore David Oraee and freshman Philip Juel-Berg have played in all 12 tournaments (38 rounds) this season, and most likely will be among that quintet. If so, the fifth player will come from a pool of four others who have competed at various times throughout the season.

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